You are here:

Cats/adopting a cat

Advertisement

Expert: - 11/21/2010


Question
Hi,
  I live in the country where people drop off unwanted cats.  My neighbor was going to dispose of a wild young cat that was living in his tree and stealing his cat's food.  I didn't want to see it killed and it was a real pretty cat, it looks like a Tiger but with spots, so I took it home and let it live in our garage, then basement and now it has the run of the house.  It had a huge change in behavior.  First I was scared of it, it hissed and wouldn't let you touch it or even get close.  But when I started feeding it it became very affectionate and nice.  I heard cats were sneaky and I'm suspicious of it but it is very intelligent and will not scratch.  It got up on the counter and I just looked at it and it ran in the basement knowing it did something wrong. It was like it knew what I was thinking.  A friend saw it and said it is an Egyptian Mew.  It is very intelligent, small has a huge appetite.
  My question is that my wife and I, especially her, are very suspicious wondering why the huge change in behavior and don't know if we want it to go from an "it" to a house pet.  Can you give us pointers?

Answer
Don,

I am not sure I really understand your question.  First of all cats are only sneaky, because that is how they catch prey!!!!!!!!!! They are quiet because the have retractable claws and walk softly.  Also, cats are amazingly good at hiding in plain sight.

As to becoming a house pet, I do not understand the objection, and, from what you have described, this cat has adopted your family and is already a house pet.

As to the behavior change, it is a defense mechanism for cats to not trust people right away.  Since you have been feeding this cat, its true personality began to emerge as it trusted the family more and more.

I hope this helps and that you provide this cat a happy home.

Best regards... Norm.  

Cats

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Norman Auspitz

Expertise

I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.

Experience

I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.


Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.

Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook

Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.

Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.